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Quick thinking stops underground fire

A miner in New South Wales has stopped the spread of a fire that broke out in an underground metals mine by leaping into action as soon as the flames were noticed.

The fire occurred at the rear of a load haul dump (LHD) while operating underground. As soon as the operator of the LHD noticed the fire he activated the fire suppression system.

The operator exited the machine and used a hand-held extinguisher to put out the fire. Smoke dissipated to return air with no impact elsewhere underground, and no withdrawal or refuge.

Upon investigation, it was discovered a hose at the back of the LHD near the radiator cooling fan had burst and sprayed fluid onto hot machine parts.

“Mine operators should ensure that risk control measures to prevent fires, and the escalation and response to underground fires, are implemented and remain effective,” the NSW Resources Regulator said.

“Inspection regimes, housekeeping standards and emergency response procedures should be routinely examined to ensure minimum standards are met or exceeded.

“Mine operators should ensure stringent monitoring and quality control of maintenance and repair activities.”

Elsewhere in the state, another underground metals mine encountered a close call when smoke fumes were detected in the work area.

A crew was undertaking planned rehabilitation work at old workings of a haulage shaft at the time, which involved installing bolts and mesh and grouting deteriorated areas.

Underground workers reported smoke fumes entering the workings and withdrew to the refuge chambers. All workers were accounted for.

It is believed that the fumes came from the grout, though an investigation is still underway by the Resources Regulator, with findings to be published soon.

A fire that reignited after being put out at Perilya’s Broken Hill mine in NSW was successfully extinguished over the weekend.

All 53 underground workers were evacuated from the mine when the fire was first reported, with no injuries recorded.

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